GV Lake microcystins levels high

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has identified a hepatotoxin, called microcystin toxin, in Green Valley Lake near Creston in Union County.

Daniel Stull, park technician at Green Valley State Park, said because of the findings he doesn’t recommend small pets or children enter the water.

“Adults can enter the water, but we recommend bathing immediately afterward,” Stull said. “Also, if you are sick or have open sores, you should not enter. There is a sign posted at the beach house right now cautioning people. We will keep people updated.”

Microcystin toxin is released by blue-green algae or cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacterial blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Blooms can occur at any time, but most often occur in late summer or early fall.

Both humans and animals can get microcystin poisoning from exposure to contaminated water. People can get microcystin poisoning from being exposed to contaminated waters, either by intentionally or accidentally swallowing water, by having direct skin contact (as when swimming, wading or showering), or by breathing airborne droplets containing microcystins, such as during boating or waterskiing.

Microcystin poisoning cannot be spread from one person to another, nor from an animal to a person.

Symptoms may take hours or days to show up in people, but normally show up within one week after exposure.

Symptoms of microcystin exposure/poisoning include:

• Rash, hives, or skin blisters (especially on the lips and under swimsuits).